Graham Hunter told Revista that Villarreal CAN sink the mighty Barca and Real Madrid in the race for La Liga.
The Yellow Submarines are on the rise!
That was the verdict of
Revista de la Liga's Graham Hunter as the show looked at the title race bubbling up nicely in Spain.
Defeat for Real Madrid at home to Valencia and Barcelona's subsequent victory over Real Valladolid means just four points separate the big guns at the top of La Liga.
But just two points behind Barca and on form are Manuel Pelligrini's men in yellow, Villarreal.
And although Sevilla fell short last season, Hunter believes the men from Castellon can go all the way and be crowned unlikely champions.
"Statistically the answer is probably yes, Villarreal can win the win the title because in each of the last four seasons, what has happened in the last nine games is that Manuel Pelligrini's side have improved their position," he told
Revista.
Finish strongly
"They went from fourth to third, from eighth to seventh and last season they were 12th and nine games later they were fifth. So they do finish strongly.
"Pelligrini has bought well too. One of the momentum things you can point to is players like Gonzalo Rodríguez, like Nihat, like (Robert) Pires who are guys they invested in but they are only getting the benefit from now because they have been injured for so long.
"OK, playing Getafe, Recreativo, Espanyol and Deportivo is the toughest way of all three teams to finish the season."
They might well be, but an unbeaten run of eight games and the fitness of those key players means there is plenty to shout about at El Madrigal.
Guillem Balague suggested the modesty might be because as a club that has never won anything, they lack the belief to see off the might of Barca and Real Madrid.
But they have beaten Frank Rijkaard's side twice this season - although if the three clubs were to finish all square, they would lose out to Real Madrid in a mini-league and also on the head-to-head if they finished level with just the champions - and Hunter says they cannot be ruled out.
Creeping up
"They are keeping quiet, not because they don't believe they can do it, but because they recognise they've got a small squad and the longer they can keep creeping up on the big boys and all the headlines go to the crisis talks at Real Madrid and Barcelona, the happier Manuel Pelligrini will be.
"The other thing is it's not only great to have a three-horse race for the title, but Villarreal play absolutely fantastic football."
Whether or not they triumph on the field, Hunter also believes they can teach the big boys a thing or two off it.
While Madrid have had problems with Robinho this year- and the Galactico culture in the past - and Barca continue to battle on without an 'unfit' Ronaldinho, there is no such trouble in the Yellow Submarines camp.
"They have a small town of about 36,000 inhabitants, it's a magical tale and I also think it's a morality tale as well," said Hunter.
"While Ronaldinho is dogging Barcelona, they have dealt with (Juan Roman) Riquelme by hoofing him out of the club - and everything has got better since then.
"I admire them."
